inside the show
site tools
text size:
larger |
normal
search for stories
get audio help
RSS feeds: xml | rdf
weekly audio feed: podcast
tell me more about this
show first aired May 20, 2004
#842
listen to the entire show in RealAudio 25:00
A reluctant drug smuggler
The high cost of prescription drugs in the United States is often framed as a political issue, but it became a very personal topic for writer and documentary film-maker Julia Whitty. Her father was dying and the medicine that could potentially save him cost $47,000 a year. Though, they could get the drug much cheaper, albeit illegally, by buying in another country. That left them with three choices: bankruptcy, death, or breaking the law. They chose the last option. The Health Show's Jim Horne spoke with Julia Whitty about how she became a reluctant drug smuggler in an effort to save her father's life.
Headlines
Health news you might have missed.
Chinese SARS researchers get assist from US
When Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome recently popped up again in China, officials were quick to quarantine hundreds of people to prevent the spread of the respiratory virus. Chinese scientists also called colleagues in Massachusetts to inquire about a drug that's being developed to deal with SARS. The Health Show's Kelly Wilkinson has more.
The French appetite for prescription drugs
The French government recently launched a review of the country's health care system. And it turns out France's health ministry is deeply in debt, with a projected budget shortfall of almost 11 billion euros for 2004. A particular headache is the huge consumption of prescription drugs. The French pop twice as many pills as the average European, and worldwide they're equaled only by the United States. But why do the French take so much medication? Radio France International's Cordelia Hebblethwaite investigates.
listen
this week: Real · MP3
last week: RealAudio
You can listen to recent shows by clicking on the links above. Audio from the stories in the middle column is available by clicking on the links accompanied by audio icons.
Need more help? Check out our complete listening info.
tapes and cd's
You can order a CD of this Health Show or any other by calling 800-323-9262. Just tell the attendant which show number you'd like to order. Don't know the show number? You can track it down in our archive.
current show
1062
THE WEIGHT IS GONE - WHAT'S WITH ALL THE SKIN?
The Great Plate
Germans Are Getting Larger
Weight Loss - The Whole Truth
check it out